Khedira - The missing link in Evolving Arsenal....

Here's a little background stattage for y'all. Since 2010, he has made 144 appearances and scored 9 goals. That doesn't scream 'integral midfielder', does it? To be fair a big reason for this was that he only made 13 apps last season due to injury. Let's put another slant on it, he was rushed back from the aforementioned injury to slot into the midfield for the CL Final Vs Atletico, lasting for 59mins before succumbing to injury. A seasoned coach such as Ancelotti knew that Khedira would be vital in the engine room and needed his unique skillset. 

Let's skip straight to the crux of the matter, shall we? We could wax lyrical about the virtues of Sami, but I'll touch on them soon. The reason I write this is to highlight the differing opinions on the German. 

At least half of the tweets I've viewed state that he is not what we need and would rather alternatives. The other half adore him and would welcome him gladly. The reason for such doubt from the first party is mainly due to his roving style. These people are apprehensive that his rampaging up front would leave us as open as Kerry Katona is to inserting household objects into her various apertures on live TV for an Iceland Voucher and a Rocket Lolly. It is a valid point.

If you watch Khedira play for Real, Alonso holds fort, covering the back whilst Sami is an auxiliary unit for the forwards and wingers to use when needed in order to spread the play or for his uncanny knack for a clever pass. The fear that we would be signing another Billong Song is a little dramatic though. Song was unable to curb his attacking impulses whilst in our shirt. Apparently, I have found out through a learned friend of mine on Twitter, he was under orders to aid the attack, so whilst a Piers Morgans soul (cavernous hole) formed at the back, Song would be attempting yet another lobbed pass into the box. Khedira is rather smarter than that. 

He doesn't leave the back 4 unshielded. He can rest assured that Xabi Alonso quite literally has his back. If Xabi gets bored of being security guard, then Sami would sit there. He is more than capable of it. If you watch him for Germany, he plays that role more prominently as Bastian is such a threat. Not that he doesn't attack. When Die Mannschaft pour forward in that brilliantly fluid manner, Sami, when called upon, is an able ally to the cause. No better example needed than Vs a dire Brazil.

He isn't a one trick pony like Song. To even liken him to Song is rather insulting to Sami. His intelligence tactically is far superior. His positioning seems sound as well. I would say this though. There are superior CDM's around. Such as the oft-vaunted Bender. He would be a capable replacement for the able but aging Arteta and Flamini, who won't be able to endure a full seasons demands. The question is though, is not whether Khedira is good enough. That was answered by Low and Ancelotti, who vouch for him by starting him ahead of a stellar list of capable replacements, on most occasions. No, the £25m question is whether we need a CDM?

A dedicated defensive midfielder is a shield. A trustworthy cover. A security blanket that comforts the more worrisome. None in my eyes did this role better than Gilberto. The Wall. He was like a Brazilian Janitor, mopping up spillages whilst enabling others to do their role more effectively. He was the air-conditioning in a stiflingly hot office. He was the street knowledge possessed by Cabbies. He was the Jewish comedy writer in the background whilst perma-bronzed Abercrombie & Fitch models awkwardly spoke the very lines he had concocted. 

Do we need that role filled in that manner any more though? Most of us are acutely aware of our deficiencies when faced with defending counter-attacks. Surely a covering midfielder would curtail our angst? He would. I however have suspicions that Arsene has another plan, one that would result in more entertainment than watching Mesut Ozil score a hat-trick in the WC Final and reveal a vest that simply says "Why always me?"

We know that, thanks to AW, we play a sometimes beautiful brand of football. It has helped us lure like-minded players, none more so than Sanchez who mentioned it in his first interview for us. I suspect that our Gallic Professor wants to see us use the old adage 'attack is the best form of defence'. 

Not a 'bayonets fixed, run forward like the Charge of the Light Brigade' type situation, but with a fluid midfield and forward line, no fixed position,in order to unlock even the most packed back-line. like a human Rubiks-Cube. Supreme movement. Wenger said once that one of his main inspirations was Rinus Michel, father of 'Total Football'. The cornerstone of that team was movement.
That isn't to say that the team will all rush forward akin to opening time at a 50% sale at Primark. 

I think at the very centre of midfield will be (If we sign him) Sami and Rambo. A pivot. Just like Khedira's partnership with Alonso. One goes forward, the other covers. Vice versa. Both are equally capable in supplying a killer pass and in the tackle. They both have great stamina so can play the box-to-box role. If one is having an underwhelming game, then simply turn to the more than accomplished names of Wilshere, Arteta, Flamini, The Ox. There are other alternatives but you get my point. Many Plan B's. Options to unlock a parked bus and move it to the side. What a dynamic team that would make.

This is all on the proviso that we sign him. Apparently we are in talks, but that could mean Dick Law is holidaying in Spain and is attempting to validate his parking in Madrid in his pidgin Spanish. We know close to nothing. If we do grab him though, what a name, what a player. I do hope you read this and see why I think he could work. I'm rather easily swayed and when I hear differing opinions, I usually look at it from the offered viewpoint and think " Hmm, that actually makes sense", abandoning my stance and agreeing. This time though, I'm sticking to my rather rubbish firearms. I think Khedira could be just the ticket.

@JokmanAFC Tell us what you think! If you agree, or have a different view, please leave a comment in the comments section or why not write a response or your own article on YouWrite?

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